Making Music - Joni and Friends

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional   

Making Music in One Accord
 
"May the Lord who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves, as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."      Romans 15:5-6
 
Christopher Parkening plays the guitar like few people in this world are able. Whether on stage with the New York Philharmonic or in front of an audience of three, he can bring out the power and mystery behind those six strings. Not one note is out of place, out of sync. Whether strummed together or plucked separately, the strings all work together to create the desired melody or harmony.
 
Musical accord on the guitar doesn't happen by chance. Only certain strings pressed down in particular combinations will produce the desired sound. Whether it plays Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire or a Spanish dance, the guitar's beauty is heard when the strings are in proper relation to one another.
 
This is what it means to be "in one accord."
 
I wonder if Paul had beautiful music in mind when he prayed that the Romans would have a spirit of unity and with one mouth would glorify God.   Did he picture the church in Rome as if in a concert on stage before the world?   Did he hear in his mind the impact of that church on history? We know now that the music of the Roman church did catch on and changed the world. The Christians endured years of suffering until the fourth century when the Empire at last acknowledged the harmony of the Gospel. It abandoned its cultic practices. It paved the way for missionaries instead of persecuting them. And the world has not been the same since then.
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You and I have the responsibility to use our gifts and live in accordance with God's will. And the promise of God is that living together in such a way will make for beautiful music and lasting impact.  
 
Tune my heart today, Lord, to Your will. Then play my life in accordance with others who love You and desire to sing Your praises.  Amen

Blessings,
 
Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org